MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry

We already know that 2007 was the biggest ever year for UK software sales – but can 2008 go one step further? Which titles will push sales through the roof in the next twelve months – and can games retail continue to be the star performer conmpared to music and …

ISM-organised tournament to benefit Starlight Starbright

It’s a stunning acheivement for the critically-acclaimed shooter, which has become a firm fan’s favourite online. We’re delighted with the performance of COD4,” said Activision marketing director David Tyler. It’s been exceptionally well received by both consumers and retail. It’s a great start to 2008 and we’re all looking forward …

The Competition Commission may have given the green light to GAME’s ownership of Gamestation, but UK retail may face an entirely new challenge in 2008: the entrance into the market of a major US specialist chain. MCV has learnt that Play-N-Trade, a franchise-orientated retailer based in California, has its eye …

Nintendo’s stunning performance in the east couldn’t be any clearer, looking at the latest figures from exclusive MCV media partner Enterbrain, publisher of the highly-respected Famitsu magazine. Only Capcom’s PSP title Monster Hunter Portable 2 and Square Enix’s Dragon Quest IV manage to break Nintendo’s hold on the top ten, …

[UPDATED] Designer believes single format would increase software competition

It’s easy to forget, whilst we bask in the glory of another record-breaking year, that just a few years ago, games retail was on its knees. Games hardware was flogged off for around 100, and some triple-A new releases were slashed to under 20 in a desperate attempt to keep …

Annual conference for plug-in and tool developers set for May

Screen Digest has told MCV that the games market will hit the mainstream consumer head on” in 2008, with year-end revenues poised to eclipse even last year’s record-breaking performance. And while Nintendo was the clear winner in the console war in 2007, 2008 is set to be far more closely …

Eidos parent SCi’s protracted talks with potential acquirers have come to an end, the company has revealed. In a trading statement, SCi also revealed that its biggest release of the calendar year, Tomb Raider: Underworld, would be delayed from its scheduled June release date to Christmas in order to achieve …